November 2nd Meeting Blog 2025.11.02
Last Sunday, I participated in the Lake Hamana Walking Festival. Participants walked approximately 13km around Lake Hamana. Although it rained intermittently that day, it was a pleasant experience walking while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Lake Hamana.
■ Speech Preparation Session
We conducted a speech preparation session based on the Toastmasters International Speech Guide. Speakers must deliver speeches based on objectives, such as a “social speech.” By achieving these objectives step by step, you can improve your speaking skills.
(TM K) Title: Why Samurai Committed Suicide by Disemboweling their Stomachs
He gave a speech about a book he had read. When the head of a samurai family was defeated in battle and was on the verge of losing his castle, he committed suicide by disemboweling his stomach, while his wife took her own life with their children to protect her dignity.
(TM M) Title: Are hecklers necessary in democracy?
In the Japanese parliament, some members sometimes heckle speakers, disrupting meetings. In the UK, some lawmakers have humorously interrupted speeches. Speakers have concluded that simply yelling and pointless interruptions are not a good idea.
■Table Topics Session
Table Topics is an impromptu speech. A facilitator, known as a Table Topics Master, gives a title for the speech and assigns a speaker. Speakers must organize their thoughts and deliver a two-minute speech on the spot. Table Topics speeches can help improve impromptu speaking skills.
Today’s Table Topics Master was Ms. M, who chose a Halloween-themed topic.
Example Topics
- Have you celebrated Halloween?
- Have you ever attended a Halloween party?
■Evaluation Session
During the evaluation session, a pre-assigned evaluator will explain the speaker’s strengths and areas for improvement, encouraging them to deliver a more effective speech. Evaluators are required to listen carefully to the speech and quickly analyze what is good and what needs improvement. Even if you’re not an evaluator, listening like an evaluator can be a great way to become a better speaker.
■Awards Session: The best speaker in each session, prepared speech, table topic, and evaluation will be selected by votes of all participants and awarded. Congratulations!
